Interesting lives of ordinary women

Finally, I have started this.. This blog is about all the interesting women I have met during my lifetime and my perceptions and understanding of them. So essentially it's their stories through my eyes and my interpretations. I might add some fictional details here and there to fill the gaps in my memories. Again not a reflection on any of the people I met. Just the way I felt - part reality and part fiction. Have been thinking about writing this a while back (at least for 3 years). Does not matter - now I started it important thing is to keep it going...

First title is Sudha (dedicated to my mom)
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The woman who made me (both literally and figuratively)

Sudha was born in India just after Independence in a low middle class family where there was only oner earning person and several mouths to feed. In addition the continuous sickness, frequent child birth, and her mother's ill health made the situation worse. It is hard for me to understand what Sudha went through emotionally and psychologically as I was not there to witness. However, knowing what I know and as I interpret it I am convinced that all this had a profound effect on her. Her childhood was devoid of play - her focus was studies and household chores. In Sudha's words she knew her way out of this misery was to be an independent person. She was bright, so she threw herself into her studies. By the age of 20, Sudha had her Masters degree with a Gold medal and had a job to teach undergrad girls in a reputed college. However, as destiny would have it, she was forced to marry due to social pressures. Her marriage was not a happy one as the man she married had an entirely different ethic belief. Before they both could adjust to each other's ways, they had a child - a female. Four years later, another one followed. As the kids grew, they both began to grow apart. However, Sudha made sure that both girls got the best of education and sacrificed everything to take care of her kids and family. Sometimes, the road seemed very long and there were times when she felt unsure of herself. But all her hard work paid off and now both of her daughters are well settled now. Today Sudha is well respected and well established in her position at her college. To be continued

Like to trouble Mommy

Swati said to me today - "Mommy I do not know why but with others I am very prim and proper but with you at times I am rude and I am sorry. It's just I feel that I can be me with you"
And I just laughed that is o true. I know that when I am in my daughter shoes if I am upset I take it out on my mom as I know that she is the only one who would still live me unconditionally

Fall by Swati, written in 2006

Fall by Swati, written in 2006
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Some places in the fall
it snows, it snows
You can play, you can walk
in snow,in snow

And the wind will blow
Icy cold, Icy cold
And all the creatures are gone
In the cold, In the cold


My toes are too cold
From the snow
All cheeks are red
So I say bye to the snow
And go to sleep

I love you first

I think between 2-3 year old is the most charming age. Agastya these days think anything he reaches or touches first becomes his. One day I was telling him that I love you so he started saying I love you first :-)

Poem about Swati's name

This was written by Ashish on our trip to New Zealand and Australia in 1996. He has to write one for Agastya.

"One meaning of my name is a star constellation,
the other meaning of my name is a Dew Drop,
However, there is a more poetic meaning to my name for which I have to tell you a poem-
Every once in a while
Say 100 years or so
On a star called Swati
A dew drop appears
It falls to the Earth
And what do you know
It gets in an oyster
And that's how pearls grow"

Swati finished Harry Potter

Swati finally read complete Harry Potter series in 4 weeks (starting 24th Jan) and finishing the final book on Feb 24th 2010.

Biospehere Empathy

I was hearing NPR this morning - I did not get the name of the author however the topic was how human consciousness has evolved over centuries from hunters to religion to theology to philosophy to psychology to empathy.
And how we extend it to various groups - The concept of empathy started in late 20th century and earlier it extended to groups which people could relate to but then extended beyond religious boundaries and cultural boundaries. And in last five years it is extending beyond humans in general to other mammals.